Grandmother claims Shockley siblings neglected in CPS care

The grandmother of Jhessye Shockley is speaking out and taking action to continue her fight to gain custody Jhessye's three young sisters.

Shockley is the 5-year-old girl reported missing out of Glendale in October 2011. Police believe the little girl died at the hands of her mother, Jerice Hunter. Hunter is in jail awaiting trial for murder.

Hunter's three daughters, who lived with her at the time Jhessye disappeared, have been in the custody of Child Protective Service. Their grandmother, Shirley Johnson, who helped raise the girls in California, while Hunter was in jail there for child abuse, tried to get custody of the girls, ages 7, 10 and 14.

In March, a judged ruled against Johnson and denied her custody after a closed hearing. But Johnson said her fight is not over.

Johnson claims she came from California every two weeks to visit the girls and when she did she saw evidence that they were being neglected in state custody.

"I got more years behind me than I have in front of me these kids have a whole life. And they need to know that their grandmother and their family love them. Whatever CPS is telling them or trying to tell them, that we don't want them, we don't love them, that's what a kid takes away from this," said Johnson through her tears.

Johnson had been under a gag order during the custody fight but now that it is over she said she is going to start making noise again. She planned on attending the Maricopa County Board of Supervisor's meeting Wednesday morning. Later in the day she hoped to march at the state Capitol in hopes someone will listen to her and help her get the girls our of foster care and back with family.

"Their hair is matted to their heads short. They use to have full long locks... thick beautiful locks and they look so bad," said Johnson.

Johnson came from California armed with stacks of paper and pictures she says proves the girls are not being well taken care of by CPS. She also said she has taken a host of classes, sought counseling and has a psychologist lined up to help the girls, all in an attempt to prove to Arizona officials she is fit to raise the sisters.

CPS has been contacted about Johnson's allegations and concerns. So far, they have not responded to any inquiries.